Urinary Problems In New Borns And Infants

Urinary problems in infants are very less talked of or considered. However, it does not mean they are uncommon. As parents of a new baby, its best to learn more about urinary problems in infants and be aware of any symptoms to avoid complications.

New borns and infants do not suffer from the usual urinary tract problems commonly seen in toddlers and grown up kids. Their urinary disturbances are unique to babies and are caused by a number of factors resulting in either a blocked urinary tract or discomfort while urinating.

There are several factors behind the common and other not so common urinary problems seen in new borns and infants. Some of these factors are:

Trivia on Infant Urinary Problems:

Urinary troubles in new borns caused due to birth defects can be detected before birth using techniques such as- ultrasounds, amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.

Urinary troubles in new borns seen after birth can be detected using techniques such as physical examination, ultrasounds, nuclear scans or Voiding CystoUrethroGram.

Urinary troubles in new borns are treated using – antibiotics, shunts, catheterization or surgery.

Parents need to be vigilant for changes such as swelling in the stomach region, limbs and face; persistent crying before and after urination; incontinence or very little urination.

Bringing such problems to the pediatrician’s notice immediately is the best step.

Blockages due to birth defects causing urinary problems in infants:

Sometimes newborns are born with defects that cause blocking of the flow of urine in the urinary tract. This causes the urine to flow backwards instead of being excreted out. As a result, body organs especially those in the urinary tract begin to swell and retain water. Blockages can cause the following urinary problems in infants:

Hydronephrosis: this is the swelling of the kidneys caused when urine flows back into them. This can cause severe infection in the baby’s kidneys and damage them badly.

Hydroureter : this problem is caused when urine flows back into the ureter and causes it to swell.

Obstruction in the bladder (BOO) : this problem develops due to tissue growth blocking the opening of the urinary bladder in babies. When the opening of the urinary bladder gets blocked it causes welling of the entire urinary tract.

Ureterocele: in this condition the ureter develops an abnormal bulge called the ureterocele. This bulge blocks the path of urine and causes swelling.

Nerve diseases causing urinary problems in infants:

Nerves are what control the process of urination in the human body. The signal between the brain and the bladder travel via nerves and often defects in the nervous system may cause urinary problems such as –

Spina Bifidia: this is a defect in which the spinal cord does not form completely in a new born. While it has some much greater problems associated with it; it also causes loss of bowel and bladder control in infants.

Urine retention: is another problem which might develop due to nerve diseases.

Genetic syndromes causing urinary problems in babies:

Many a times babies are born with some genetic syndromes, which further cause urinary disturbances. Some such syndromes are:

Prune belly syndrome: Prune belly syndrome results in swelling of the urinary tract leading to hypernephrosis.

Esophageal atresia: this disease may cause one or many urinary tract related ailments in babies.

Congenital heart defects: babies who have heart defects suffer more from urinary disturbances as compared to those who do not.

Some other urinary problems in babies:

Some of the more common urinary problems in new borns are:

Blood in urine: sometimes new born babies pass blood in urine for the first few days. This is nothing to get alarmed about, as often urine contains crystals which when passed out, cause slight bleeding. Girl babies are also seen to have vaginal bleeding for a day or two, which again is normal.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): UTI in new borns often indicates a greater problem and is accompanied by high fever, lower abdomen pain, dark and foul smelling urine and painful urination.

Parents need to be very vigilant especially during the first one week of the baby’s birth and later also for about the next couple of months as well. Keep a watch for any discomfort seen in the baby while urinating. Urinary problems in infants and babies cannot be taken lightly. While most of the urinary problems in infants have cures available, timely action matters most.

Urinary problems in infants are very less talked of or considered. However, it does not mean they are uncommon. As parents of a new baby, its best to learn more about urinary problems in infants and be aware of any symptoms to avoid complications.